FAQs - General Questions

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Why doesn't Eden Foods use the USDA Organic Seal on its packages?

USDA Organic represents an 'organic certification system' that is a very liberal and permissive paperwork system. It is managed by bureaucrats whose primary goal has been to make the production of organic food easy and cheap by accommodating "allowable" chemicals, and even GMOs in organic agriculture, food processing, and packaging. Even though all organic EDEN food is grown, handled, and processed in ways that meet and exceed requirements for USDA organic certification and using the USDA Organic Seal on its labels, the law does not require use of the USDA Organic Seal. Eden Foods does not choose to use this USDA Organic
Seal on its organic food labels because it does not represent the integrity and transparency that people expect for their organic food. The USDA Organic Seal does not represent Eden Foods' meticulous high standards for organic food, in practice or in spirit. For more information, please read EDEN Integrity and Why Eden Foods chooses not to use the USDA seal.

Who is Eden's organic certifier?

Eden Foods' organic certifier is the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). We are certified under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and also to the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement as stated on our OCIA organic certificate.

Are any Eden foods grown with the use of sodium nitrate, also called Chilean nitrate?

Eden has always been opposed to the use of sodium nitrate, even though the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) currently allows it for organic agriculture. A condition for certification to the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement is that agricultural products not be grown with the use of sodium nitrate. Chilean nitrate provides nitrogen easily and relatively cheaply, but it also stresses and depletes life, or bioactivity in the soil. The avoidance of sodium nitrate distinguishes EDEN foods from other USA organic foods.

The Eden label means GMO Free. Since 1993 Eden has diligently created a system that totally avoids genetically engineered food, organisms, or their derivatives. The GMO industry and USDA want us to believe that commercial scale Non-GMO food is impossible, because they have thoroughly and intentionally polluted the food supply. EDEN foods are proof that Non-GMO food is doable. We have the records, tests, and foods that demonstrate it. Doing this is a very, very substantial burden upon Eden Foods and people that want to avoid GMOs.
The Non-GMO Project (The Project) was created by members from all sectors of the food industry in the U.S.A. and Canada. The Project works to provide consumers and makers a third-party Non-GMO verification program through all levels of the supply chain. Eden Foods' president, Michael Potter is one of eleven governing members of its board of directors who have been involved in initiating, funding, and writing standards for The Project. The Project is North America's first independent Non-GMO verification program utilizing on-site facility audits, documents, systems reviews, and DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of all materials at risk for GMO contamination.
To view EDEN foods that are verified or are being verified by the Non-GMO Project, visit edenfoods.com/verified

Why doesn't Eden provide the Daily Values (DVs) for all nutrients in the Nutrition Facts Panel?

A Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) is required on all food labels by the FDA. The nutrients required to be listed on labels are: Calories, Calories from fat, Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Total Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber, Sugars, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron.
All other nutrients such as Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated Fat, Potassium, Vitamins D, K, and B, magnesium, etc. are voluntary. They are not required to be listed on the NFP, unless a nutrient claim is made on the label or a nutrient has been added to the food. Voluntary nutrients may be listed at the discretion of the manufacturer in a prescribed, statute defined manner.
If Calories from fat, Saturated fat, Trans fat, Cholesterol, Sugars, Vitamin A and C, Calcium, and Iron are present in the food at insignificant levels (zero % Daily Value (DV)), a manufacturer may omit listing them on the NFP, but they must be expressed in a disclaimer as a footnote at the bottom of the NFP by naming all the ingredients with 0% DVs. Footnote Example: "Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sugars, vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron."
Some foods are exempt from including a Nutrition Facts Panel, such as coffee, tea, and spices as they are considered to contain 'insignificant levels of nutrients'.
If you have specific questions regarding a nutrient that is listed or not listed on the label of any EDEN food, please contact Eden Customer Service at 888-424-3336 or email [email protected]. We will share with you the information that we have about the nutrient of interest to you. Mind you, we do not test for everything.

How do you read date codes on EDEN packages?

Many Eden foods are marked with a "best before" date code. This code starts with the "best before" year's 4 digits, followed by a two-letter month abbreviation, and then the day of the month. "Best Before" dates will vary in duration from item to item as determined by each item's recommended shelf life.
Best Before date code example: 2017MA05
1. Best before 2017
2. In the month of May (MA)
3. On the 5th (05) day.
Month - Two Letter Abbreviations

JA January

FE February

MR March

AL April

MA May

JN June

JL July

AU August

SE September

OC October

NO November

DE December

Some EDEN foods use both a Best Before date code as above, and a simple Julian Date Code that is used by the industry to track production dates. A few items use only the Julian Date Code. The Julian calendar consecutively numbers the days of the year so that January 1st is 001, on through December 31st as 365.
Julian Date Code Example: 4182, 14182, or 41821
1. The first digit (4) or two digits (14) would be the last digit or two of the year: 2014
2. The next three digits (182) are the 182nd day of the year 2014, which was July 1st.
3. A final digit, if used, signifies a batch number when used with a 4 digit Julian Date Code
Please refer to the following conversion chart for a perpetual Julian Date Calendar (pdf).
Foods that Eden imports from Japan are printed with a shipment number code. This is used to trace the item's shipment date, and batch or lot number. Please contact Eden Customer Service at 888-424-3336 or email [email protected] for help in determining when a product was shipped from or made by one of our Japanese traditional manufacturers.

Is your facility free of allergens?

It is in the areas, and at the times, that we want it to be. Eden Foods is highly proactive where it comes to allergens. Policies and systems/programs to prevent allergen contamination of non-allergen food items at our facilities are as follows:

1. Eden Foods's Food Safety program includes an Allergen Control Plan that is regularly reviewed and updated as necessary

2. Eden HACCP (hazard analysis critical control point) plans include the identification of allergens and their control from receiving through handling, packaging, and storage, the entire time they are in our possession

7. Documented production scheduling designed to maintain maximum separation of allergen items from non-allergen items

8. Proper and thorough cleaning of production and handling equipment immediately after an allergen containing run, followed by documented Quality Control Department allergen swab tests to ensure equipment is returned to "free of allergens" condition

9. Allergen surveys and inspections of Eden suppliers to review the presence of allergens and supplier practices to avoid cross-contact with allergens that may be present

13. Foods identified as gluten-free are regularly and randomly tested by a most reputable laboratory to ensure that gluten is not present at the low detection limits of either 10 ppm or 5 ppm depending upon what product is being tested

Is Eden organic quinoa made in a nut free facility?

Eden organic nuts (almonds, pistachios) are packaged on the same packaging equipment that is used to package Eden organic quinoa. After packaging a nut product and then thoroughly cleaning equipment, a Quality Control (QC) swab test is conducted on the equipment to assure that there is no remaining nut protein residue.

Does Eden use any chemical additives, preservatives, or chemical or Genetically Engineered derived 'processing aides' in any of its foods?

No. We choose not to and make sure all ingredients are natural too.

Does Eden control retail prices at the store levels?

Based upon what we pay farmers and employees, Eden Foods sets a price for its foods. We have no control over prices charged to retailers or consumers except on our web sites.

Are EDEN foods or their ingredients ever subjected to food irradiation?

No EDEN food or ingredient is ever irradiated by Eden Foods or by any of our suppliers. Eden Foods banned irradiated food and ingredients on August 13, 1988. Subjecting food to irradiation's adventurous chemical creations and random DNA and RNA manipulation never did make sense to us. Food irradiation allows the marketing of old and mishandled foods that without it could never be sold as it is. Please read our Irradiation Free statement.

Are all Eden Foods certified organic?

Approximately 80 percent of Eden Foods are double certified organic, both by USDA NOP certifiers and Eden Foods' system of ensuring organic authenticity as expected by our customers. Some Japanese imported Macrobiotic specialty foods, the Spanish extra virgin olive oil and Midwestern red wine vinegar, are not certified organic even though they are the finest that we can source. Due to the expense and tremendous amount of paperwork, it does not always make sense for some of Eden's artisan manufacturers to pursue lackluster organic certification of dubious value at this time.

What percentage of Eden Foods are United States and North American grown?

Approximately 75 percent of Eden Foods are organically grown on more than 370 family farms of North America with over 86,000 acres of vibrant farmland, and growing every year.

Do any Eden Foods contain dairy derivatives, eggs, gelatin, or animal by products?

Does Eden employ Quality Control measures to ensure safe and consistent food?

Yes. Every food offered by Eden is subject to numerous detailed and stringent Quality Control (QC) procedures. Eden's United States facilities are inspected and rated by strict third party AIB International inspectors. Eden's consistent high ratings reflect a deep, company wide commitment to food safety, sanitation, and HACCP management programs. One example is Edensoy, with over 240 quality control checks to ensure a consistent and safe product. In addition to the guards and monitors that are part of the machines, a package of soymilk is pulled from production every half hour and thoroughly tested in every regard to be sure it meets our stringent standards.

Does Eden conduct tours for the public?

Yes, on a limited basis. Please contact Ms. Erica Mercer of our Marketing Department at (517) 456-7424, extension 242 for information. It is our desire to share the knowledge of what Eden Foods is doing with as many people as possible, but there are times when tours are not logistically possible due to staff availability, productions schedules or previous commitments in scheduling.

Why does Eden carry foods that are kosher?

Because, due to our stringent purchasing disciplines they already were, so we had them certified. And yes, Eden is committed to offering certified kosher and pareve foods. In order for any food product to be certified kosher, its actual production must be Rabbinically supervised. The Rabbi visits on a regular basis. He inspects the machines prior to production and verifies that every step required by Jewish Law has been observed and fulfilled. Not all Eden foods are kosher, but 91 percent are; and all kosher foods offered by Eden are certified and marked with a on the package.